Light generator for bicycles or the like



June 13, 1950 T. R. WOERMBKE 2,511,489

LIGHT GENERATOR FOR BICYCLES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 1'7, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 In In June 13, 1950 T. R. WOERMBKE LIGHT GENERATOR FOR BICYCLES OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1948 June 13, 1950 Filed Aug. 17, 1948 l'fl.

T. R. WOERMBKE LIGHT GENERATOR FOR BICYCLES OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 wINVENTOR.

A Tram/B 5 June 13, 1950 T. R. WOERMBKE 2,511,489

LIGHTGENERATOR Filed Aug. 17, 1948 FOR BICYCLES OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 mad.

June 13, 1950 T. R. WOERMBKE 2,511,489

LIGHT GENERATOR FOR BICYCLES OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 1' 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 wwmQwzziifi-k Mme r111 VBYS Patented June 13, 1950 UNITED @TFF 1 CE LIGHT. GENERATOR FOR BICYGLE-S OR'THE LIKE Theodore W'oerinbke, .Y. Application August 17, 194 8; SerialN-o. 44.753 14 Claims. (Cl. -1.'Z.1--2QS-) My invention is a novel: electric generator for use on bicycles and similar vehicles, the genom tor being housedwithin' the w 1681 hub'in anovel and compact assembly.

The primary object of my invention is topro:

ride an efficient low speed generator compact enough to fit within the wheel :hub of. abicycle, the rotating elementof the generatorbeing attached to the hub, and the stationary element being fixed to the-spindle on-which the hub is journaled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit'having a speciallydesignedstructure which will insure proper internal ventilationand which will keep oil and water from contacting the'gencrating elements.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a generator unit which, even at low speeds, i: 1 supply adequate power to-operate a light or other accessory and which will supply more power-at hi her speedswithout burning up.

I will e .l n the invention with reference to accoim nying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof, to enable others fa -iliar with thexart to adapt and'use thesame; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction and novel combination of parts for which protection is'desired.

In drawings:

Eigure l is elevational view'of the generator unit showing thesame mounted in the fork. of a bicycle.

Fig. 2 is view .ofthe unit removed from the-fork.

Fig. 3v is a sectional view along line 3'--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is sectional view along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. Eisan exploded side view of the armature laininations.

Fig. 6 is a side-view of asolid armature.

Fig. 7 is a top view oione' of the permanent magnet pole pieces.

Fig. 8 is an end view of the saidpole'piece.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the said pole piece.

Fig. 3.0 is an end view of the armature.

Fig. 11 is a side view of the internal generator sleeve.havingperipheral holes for supporting the polepieces.

Fig. 12 is asectional view along line lZ-IZ of Fig. 13 is a Viewv corresponding to Fig. 3 but showing a modified form of the generator.

Figlle isajsi'de view of a pole pieceadapted to fit the holes of "thesleeve shown-in Figs. 1 1- and 12.

15 is an end view of the said pole'piece'.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view, corresponding'to Fig. 3;.butshowing anothermodified form ofithe generator;

Fig. :17 is asectional view: along'line l'i-ll of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is:a side view'ofthe sleeve used in th modified form shown in. Fig. .16.

19 shows the permanent.magnetipolepi'eces which fit into the sleeve shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. '26 shows an elevational view ofia further modified form of the generator. mounted: in a hicvclefork with the-wheel: hub removed.

Fig.2-1 shows 'avsectional view 'along'lin'e 2 l-2'I Qf: Fig

Fig. 22rshows a 'sectionaliview. along. line; 22-22 of Fig. 20.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in Figs; 1 through 1:0, the wheelrhub i has thecon vent'ional: spoke mounting logs in. around its periphery and a bore lib at one end for receiving the hearingl. The searing. is held in place by an internally threaded washer 3 locked thereagainsthy a not 4. the'outer end of which contacts theibicycle' forle 5. which is l held in' place: on the spindle i; by another nut 'l' and washer 8. On thetinside'of' the'bearing 2 in a reduced bore In is an: oil sealing washer 9 and packing i0 adapted to prevent thet oil from entering the generator. At the: other erldiof'the'huh i isanother bearingza supported in a bearing race H and having: an internally. threaded washer to and nut la holding the bearing in the race. The other member. Ea of the-fork fi'isheldin place'on spindle thysaanutl'a andlock'washer 8a.

Within the main bore '20 of the huh I is mounted as by eyelets 12a an annular series of permanent magnetpole pieces l2 equally spaced therea-round and'having mounting holes 12b for receiving the eyelets [2a. An armature I3 is fiXl'l c'i'l he spindle *tiopp'os'ite the pole pieces, the armature remaining stationary while the pole v.2' revoiv 'aroundit'withthe hub.

lanes ZT-hearmature: iti-mayhe composed of a serieslainin'aticns iia as shown inFig-E, or itrnay he one solid piece r31) as: shown in Fig. 6. L1 eithercase the-end. view, Fig. if), or" the.- armature i3 shows the peripheral winding slots 130,. and. the, center for receiving. the windings I dare placed in the;

the bore [351 in spindle 1 one end of the winding [5 being ended on the spit dle filconnecticn not shown), andtheother-end of the'winding 1.4 being brought out onwire 54a throughtahore'fia in the. Spindle f-for connection to theaccessories as at AA.

Between the pole pieces I2 and the oil seal washer Ic within the hub I is an annular ring I5. which may be made of plastic material, the ring having an internal annular groove I5a designed to trap any oil leaking through the seal washer Ic. A duct I5b extends through the ring I5 and the huh I serving to introduce air into the generator for cooling and to drain off trapped oil. Another annular groove Ila is provided in the bearing race sleeve II to collect oil running inwardly along the inner tapered surface III) of the sleeve II. A duct He also communicates this groove Ila with the outside of the hub for ventilation and drainage purposes as set forth with respect to duct I51).

Figs. 11 through 15 illustrate a modification of the form of the generator, wherein parts similar to those in the form shown in Figs. 1 through 10 have retained the same reference characters. The hub I is not shown here but occupies the same position as is shown in the first form. The present form does not have the oil collecting annular grooves, but has an internal sleeve I5 replacing ring I l in the former form. The sleeve It has an annular series of spaced holes as at Ilia corresponding to the outer shape of the pole pieces I! which fit snugly into the holes [6a, the outer surface Ila of each pole piece ll being curved to match the curvature of the sleeve IS. The inner bore of the huh I (not shown) is a snug fit on the sleeve I6 and holds the pole pieces I! in place in the holes. A duct l6b communicates with the air outside the hub for cooling purposes and extends into the sleeve I6 and through a hole I'lb in one of the pole pieces ll. Operationally, this form is similar to the former embodiment.

A third embodiment is set forth in Figs. 16 through '19. Here again, similar parts have retained the same reference characters. The sleeve I6 of the second form has been replaced by a sleeve I8 wherein the holes IBa for receiving the pole pieces I! are in the end of the sleeve. The armature I3 is now outside the bearing 2a which is supported in recess I8b of the sleeve I8, and held therein by a washer I9 abutting against the armature I3. A threaded washer 20 is screwed on the spindle 6 to hold the armature in place and a pin 2I may be used to prevent the plate 28 from rotating with respect to fork member 5a. Ventilating ducts I8a serve the same purpose as ducts IBa in the second form, Fig. 13.

The fourth modification shown in Figs. 20 through 22 is similar to the second form except that the windings l4 are mounted on the pole pieces 22 and the armature 23 here carries the permanent magnets 23a. This form is particularly adapted for use in furnishing power to lights mounted on the spokes of the wheel for decoration since the wires from the windings will be rotating with the hub I of the wheel (not shown).

In each of the four above embodiments, the spindle 6 does not rotate but is fixedly secured to the bicycle fork 5. The rate of relative rotation between the armature and pole pieces is therefore determined by the speed of rotation of the huh I, increasing power being generated with increasing speed of rotation of the hub. In each case, one side of the winding is grounded to the bicycle frame to simplify the electrical circuit, and the electrical design of the generator is such as to prevent burning out of the generator when the hub is rotating at excessive speeds. The ventilating ducts are opened in the direction of rotation of the hub to scoop in air in amounts varying with the speed of the vehicle to insure proper ventilation.

I do not limit my invention to the exact forms shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a hub having an internal bore with bearings therein journaled on a spindle fixed in a fork; an electric generator comprising an armature fixed on said spindle within the bore; an annular series of spaced field-pole pieces fixed around the inner periphery of the bore opposite the armature, means on the spindle outside the hub for maintaining the bearings in place in the bore; and ducts extending through said hub into the bore, the outer ends of the ducts opening in the direction of forward rotation of the hub to scoop in cooling air and to drain off excess liquids from said bore.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, annular shoulders within said bore of the hub adjacent the inner ends of said bearings; threads on each end of said spindle; said means for holding the bearings in place comprising internally threaded washers engaging the threads on each end of said spindle and tightened inwardly thereon to hold the bearings against the shoulders, the outer peripheries of said washers having hexagonal surfaces; and lock-nuts on said threads fixing said washers against rotation.

3. In combination with a hub having an internal bore with bearings therein journaled on a spindle fixed in a fork; an electric generator comprising an armature fixed on said spindle within the bore; a longitudinal bore in said spindle; windings on said armature, the leads therefrom being brought out through said longitudinal bore; an annular series of spaced permanent-magnet pole pieces fixed around the inner periphery of the hub bore opposite the armature; means on the spindle outside of the hub for maintaining the bearings in place; means within the hub adjacent the bearings for collecting excess liquids entering therethrough; and

means for ventilating said hub and for draining off said liquids.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, an annular shoulder in one end of said bore I adjacent the inner end of one bearing, a sleeve in the other end of the bore having a bore therein with a shoulder engaging the inner end of the other bearing; threads on each end of the spindle; said means for holding said hearings in place comprising tapped Washers engaging the threads on each end of the spindle and tightened inwardly thereon to hold the bearings against the shoulders, the outer peripheries of said washers having hexagonal surfaces; and lock-nuts on I said threads fixing said washers against rotation.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 4, said means for collecting liquids comprising an annular recess at the inner end of the bore of said sleeve, the portion of the bore between the shoulder and the recess being tapered with increasing diameter toward the recess; a cylindrical ring within the hub bore adjacent the shoulder at the other end thereof, said ring having an annular recess within its bore; a washer between said ring and said shoulder, said washer fitting snugly on the spindle to prevent seepage of oil therebetween; and packing between said washer and said bearing.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim 5, said means for ventilating the hub and for draining oif said liquids comprising ducts extending into said hub and communicating with said annular recess in the sleeve and the ring, respectively, the outer ends of the respective ducts being bent to follow the outer circumference of the hub along a short arc and opening in the direction of forward rotation of the hub.

7. In combination with a hub having an internal bore with bearings therein journaled on a spindle fixed in a fork; an electric generator comprising an armature fixed on said spindle within the bore; a longitudinal bore in said spindle; windings on said armature, the leads therefrom being brought out through said longitudinal bore; a, sleeve in the hub bore; a series of longitudinal slots in the outer end of said sleeve and circumferentially spaced therearound; a series of permanent-magnet pole pieces, each pole piece inserted in one slot, the same being shaped to retain the respective pole pieces rigidly oriented around the outer surface of the armature and spaced therefrom; a shoulder in the bore of said hub adjacent one bearing; a second bearing on the spindle within said sleeve; a shoulder within said sleeve, said second bearing being confined between said shoulder and said armature; means for maintaining said bearings in place; a washer adjacent the shoulder within said hub, the washer fitting snugly on the spindle to prevent seepage of oil therebetween; packing between said washer and said outer bearing; and means for ventilating said hub.

8. In a combination as set forth in claim 7, threads on each end of said spindle; said means for holding the bearings in place comprising a tapped washer at each end of the spindle engaging the threads thereof, the washer at one end being tightened inwardly against said first mentioned bearing to hold the same against the shoulder in the hub, and the washer at the other end being tightened inwardly against said armature pressing the same against the second bearing to seat it against the shoulder within the sleeve; means for locking the second Washer to said fork; and lock-nuts on said threads fixing said washers against rotation.

9. In a combination as set forth in claim 7, said means for ventilating the hub comprising ducts extending through said hub and said sleeve adjacent said pole pieces, the outer ends of said ducts being bent to follow the outer circumference of the hub along a short are and opening in the direction of forward rotation of the hub.

10. In combination with a hub having an internal bore with bearings therein journaled on a spindle fixed in a fork; an electric generator comprising an armature fixed on the spindle within the bore; a sleeve within the bore having a series of circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots near the center of the sleeve, the walls of the slots expanding outwardly; a series of pole pieces, each pole piece inserted in one slot, the pole pieces being tapered to fit the walls of the threads on each end of said spindle; said means I for holding the bearings in place comprising tapped washers engaging the threads on each end of said spindle and tightened inwardly thereon to hold the bearings against the shoulders, the outer peripheries of said washers having hexagonal surfaces; and lock-nuts on said threads fixing said washers against rotation.

12. In a combination as set forth in claim 10,

said means for ventilating the hub comprising 7 ducts extending through said hub and said sleeve adjacent said pole pieces, the outer ends of said ducts being bent to follow the outer circumference of the hub along a. short are and opening in the direction of forward rotation of the hub.

13. In a combination as set forth in claim 10, said spindle having a longitudinal bore therethrough communicating with the armature; said pole pieces being permanent-magnets; and winding on said armature, one end of the winding being grounded to said spindle and the other end of the winding being brought out through said longitudinal bore.

14. In a combination as set forth in claim 10, a winding on said pole pieces, one end of the winding being grounded to the hub, and the other end of the winding being brought out therethrough and rotating therewith; and said armature comprising a cylindrical body having a longitudinal bore through its center to pass said spindle and having longitudinal teeth circumferentially spaced around its periphery, said teeth comprising permanent-magnets for exciting said winding,

THEODORE R. WOERMBKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 643,095 Holdredge Feb. 6, 1900 2,322,969 Rabi June 29, 1943 2,430,163 Dever Nov. 4, 1947 2,434,745 Paulson Jan. 20, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 200,883 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1939 

